Though the Mid-Autumn Festival rolls out on Sept 29 this year, a few of Bangkok’s finest are already rolling out the full moon-shaped confectionary. Guru By Bangkok Post has complied a few of our favs.
Kyo Roll En / Aug 21 to Sept 30
Chef-patron Dej Kewkacha of Kyo Roll En returns this mooncake season with four of the biggest names in Bangkok’s fine-dining scene in a one-off collab.
This year’s mooncake collection will see a Thai tea flavour in partnership with chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn) of Le Du, whose mooncake is stuffed with prized “kuromame” or black soy bean from Japan. The Homemade fish floss mooncake by chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij of Potong is inspired by her favourite childhood Thai-Chinese snack of “pun clip”, which is traditionally made with sweet and savoury fish floss, stuffed with sweet red bean paste. The Black Forest by chefs Thomas and Mathias Suhring of Suhring is inspired by traditional German Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte and is made with chocolate, a cherry filling and a hint of Kirsch liquor. The all-time favourite, Satsuma imo is back in the boxes, where chef Dej creates the ubiquitous Japanese snack of grilled sweet potato yaki-imo using the finest Beni-Haruka’ variety from Kyushu, Japan.
The “Limited Edition All-Star Mooncake” is presented in a four-tier treasure box, with the design drawing inspirations from famous landmarks of each of the chef’s cuisine origin from Thailand to China, Japan and Germany, with each drawer containing two pieces from each chef. A total of eight pieces priced at B1,888 baht nett.
Additionally, Kyo Roll En presents the classic mooncake series with four flavours. The Satsuma imo, Yuzu lava, Durian with salted egg and a new flavour for 2023, Matcha Mont Blanc, made with Tamba chestnut and Uji matcha, both from Kyoto. Available in two different boxes, the Classic Pop-Up Box with four pieces is B499 and the Premium Box with eight pieces (two of each flavour) is priced at B999.
All the mooncakes are available for purchase from Aug 21 to Sept 30 via kyorollen.com/mooncake, Kyo Roll En outlets or via Line: @kyorollen.
The Peninsula Bangkok / Aug 3 to Sept 29
The luxury urban resort has partnered with Thai illustrator, Faan Peeti to celebrate one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Peninsula Bangkok is offering special, limited-edition boxes for its traditional mooncakes. These boxes, made by the artisans at Stories Ceramics and elaborately painted by Faan, not only make enchanting gifts, they also tell the story of The Peninsula Bangkok’s unique connection to its home community.
The special mooncake boxes, limited to just 150, are available for pre-order and priced at B5,888 nett per box. Profits from the sales of the boxes will go to charity. To also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Peninsula Bangkok, Faan has created a series of captivating illustrations that adorn box telling a story called “Gift From The River”.
The box features a riverside town on its four sides, representing the Chao Phraya River. The lid showcases a full moon and peonies, both of which symbolise prosperity and wealth. The painted moon also appears as a window in another illustration on the inner lid: “Moonbeam Treats”, a bakery where moon rabbits make mooncakes. At the bottom, is yet another illustration of a rabbit nestled in a peony blossom, holding a piece of mooncake. Each box contains an edition number, as well as a copy of the artist’s handwritten signature.
Apart from the limited edition boxes, traditional mooncakes are also available. An egg custard mooncake is priced at B298 nett, a heart-shaped mooncake at B298 nett, the eight-piece at B1,088 nett, the eight-piece heart-shaped mooncake at B1,088 nett (while supplies last).
Call 02-020-6969, email at diningpbk@peninsula.com, visit peninsula.com/en/bangkok/5-star- luxury-hotel-riverside or Line @peninsulabangkok.
St. Regis Bangkok / Aug 15 to Sept 30
Limited edition “Mythical Mooncake” series is the St. Regis Bangkok’s special this year, featuring four flavours of Durian with a single egg yolk, Red bean with a single egg yolk, Mixed nuts and Thai tea with macadamia nuts. The mooncakes are packaged in a cosmetic box adorned with a delicate floral print, featuring the radiant colours of the moon.
The early-bird offer for the “Mythical Mooncake” is available until Aug 15 for B1,588 nett or B198 nett per piece. A minimum of five days in advance is required when ordering one box and a minimum of 15 days is required when ordering 20 or more boxes. Maximum two pieces of durian flavour can be added in one box of four pieces, though extras can be added for B280 nett for a third piece or B550 nett for the third and fourth pieces. Bulk orders for 100 boxes or more enjoy a 20% discount, along with a complimentary logo tag, mould and delivery to addresses within Bangkok.
The St. Regis Bangkok’s Mythical Mooncakes is available at The Lounge until Sept 30. Call 02-207-7813 or 02-207-7820, email thelounge.bangkok@stregis.com or visit fb.bangkok@stregis.com.
Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park / Aug 5 to Sept 29
The hotel on Sukhumvit 22 has launched an exclusive selection of mooncakes, including special gift boxes, at Pagoda Chinese Restaurant from Aug 4 to Sept 29. “A Harmony of Flavors” mooncake collection features a choice of four traditional flavours, each weighing 150g, in Chantaburi durian and white lotus seeds with a single egg yolk; White lotus and melon seeds with a single egg yolk; Macadamia nuts; and Assorted nuts flavours. The signature mooncakes, each weighing 50g include Caramel espresso; Malted chocolate Rocher and Pork bakkwa with assorted nuts.
These mooncakes come in three gift boxes: The Lunar Box (B11,888), which is a handcrafted wooden box in an elegant circular design that comes with two traditional mooncakes, two wooden knives and forks, and a packet of Pu’Erh Gold Tea (50g). The The Luxury Box (B2,288) is made from leather and has six assorted signature mooncakes (two of each flavour) or four assorted traditional mooncakes (one of each flavour). The Treasure Box (B1,288) is a premium paper box that features six assorted signature mooncakes (two of each flavour) or four assorted traditional mooncakes (one of each flavour). Individual boxes are also available for single mooncake purchases.
Early birds enjoy discounts of 20% until July 31. Call 02-059-5999, Line: @pagoda or visit pagodabangkok.com/mooncake.
JW Marriott Bangkok / Aug 19 to Sept 29
Man Ho Chinese Restaurant at JW Marriott Bangkok embraces the festival of happiness with a mooncake package, inspired by timeless beauty of the Blue Willow China pattern. This intricately designed package symbolises an eternal bond and features a gold rabbit. The set includes four classic flavours: Surian with egg yolk, Mixed nuts with egg yolk, Lotus seed with egg yolk and Date palm macadamia with egg yolk.
Enjoy a discount of 15% until Aug 1 for orders from Aug 19 to Sept 29 at B1,288 nett for a four-piece mooncake set. Call 02-656-7700 or email thiwaphorn.charuchareet@marriotthotels.com.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok / Until Aug 14
The Kimpton Mooncake honours the Year Of The Rabbit through the illustrations by Thai artist Jeep Kongdechakul. The mooncakes are contained in a package featuring Jeep’s imaginative illustrations of the elegant goddess’s fluffy loyal rabbit companion and prosperity symbols like the peony and the jade plant. The bright and bold floral designs are featured on the box and the reusable, origami-like bag it comes in.
The collection comprises four varieties: Traditional lotus seed with egg yolk, Durian with egg yolk, Creamy custard and Sweet and sour cranberry. Each mooncake comes in a bright diagonal hot pink and lime green striped modern box.
Kimpton Mooncakes are available for an early bird pre-order at B2,088 nett per box until Aug 14. Call 02-056-9999 or email taste.kimptonmaalai@ihg.com.
Conrad Bangkok / Until Sept 29
The hotel’s handcrafted mooncakes, presented in a luxurious designed Liu Edition are crafted from PU leather and velvet. One piece is priced at B188 nett, four at B988 nett and eight at B1,688 nett. Delight in four classic and elegant flavours: Durian, Custard, Multigrain and Mocha curated by Chef Andy Fung, the executive Chinese chef to demonstrate the authentic taste of Liu Restaurant.
Purchases can be made until Sept 29 via bitly.ws/IxfR, with a 15% discount if orders are places before July 31 and can be picked up from the lobby from Aug 28. Call 02-690-9999 or email bkkci.info@conradhotels.com.
Capella Bangkok / Aug 20 to Sept 30
Capella Bangkok’s mooncake collection is tastefully encased in an elegant green box that draws inspiration from the timeless allure of the classic Chinese-style food cabinet.
The design does not only symbolise the epitome of familial love, but also nods to heart-warming childhood memories. The mooncakes feature a selection of fine ingredients hand-selected from the best sources across Thailand. The communities along Charoen Krung Road have become sources of inspiration for the mooncakes, which come in three flavours: Durian with salted yolk uses monthong from Chanthaburi; Macadamia with Thai tea uses Royal Project-grown macadamia; and Bamboo charcoal with coconut and chocolate uses Chiang Mai-grown cacao and coconut from Samut Sakorn. Each box contains six mooncakes in eco-friendly packaging made of 100% recycled paper and small tin boxes.
Each box is priced at B2,339 nett. Pre-order until Aug 20 to get a 10% discount and enjoy a 15% discount when ordering 10 boxes or more. The mooncakes can be picked up from Sept 1-30. Visit gifts.capellahotels.com/bangkok/capella-bangkok/dining.
Rosewood Hong Kong
“The Witty Moon” mooncake collection is crafted from time-honoured recipes by executive Chinese chef Li Chi-Wai and are presented in an eco-friendly packaging, which features a design of contemporary colourful clouds, romantic purple mountains and an autumn sky amid a perfect moonlit landscape.
Designed by acclaimed creative studio RCS, the box includes a special feature of lantern riddles, which pays tribute to the common tradition of riddles written on slips of paper attached to lanterns or displayed during the festival.
The collection features flavours that include White lotus seed paste with double egg yolks, Yellow lotus seed paste with olive seeds and double egg yolks, The Legacy House mini egg custard mooncakes, Mini assorted flavour mooncakes, including jasmine tea-infused egg custard, Lapsang Souchong tea white lotus seed paste, red bean paste with mandarin peel in a set of six cakes. The Gift Box Limited Edition (HK$988) includes mini egg custard mooncakes (two pieces), mini Lapsang Souchong tea white lotus seed paste (two pieces), white lotus seed paste with double egg yolk (two pieces) and a porcelain keepsake tray.
In a collaboration with the Hong Kong Palace Museum to celebrate the first anniversary of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, an innovative mooncake gift box celebrating traditional and contemporary Chinese art and culture will also be available.
Visit Rosewood Hong Kong online shop at rosewoodhkshop.com/collections/mooncakes.
The Merchants / Forty-Five in Landmark Hong Kong / Until Sept 28
The Merchants, named after the trading houses of old Canton that once bridged China with the rest of the world, brings a contemporary taste of Shanghai to Hong Kong’s trendiest new arts and lifestyle destination — Forty-Five in Landmark.
The Merchants kicks off celebrations for the restaurant’s first annual Mid-Autumn Festival by introducing three new limited-edition mooncake gift box sets that are available until Sept 28. Executive chef Chen Tian Long payes homage to traditional Suzhou-style mooncakes that are unique in their multi-layered, flakey, and crumbly crust that resembles pastry.
In honour of the mooncake-gifting tradition, specially curated gift boxes on offer include Signature Mooncakes Set (HK$480/four pieces) featuring four different flavours: smooth and sweet red bean, soft and fragrant red date, five-kernels and black sesame powder “salt and pepper”, and classic lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk. The Savoury Mooncakes Set (HK$520/four pieces) features two flavours, including xiān ròu yuèbǐng, and smoky Jinhua ham from Zhejiang province. For orders of 10 boxes or more of the Signature and/or Savoury mooncake boxes, a 15% discount will be applied.
The perfect blend of Chinese heritage and modern luxury, the Prestige Mooncakes Set (HK$1,880/eight pieces) is presented within a delicately hand-embroidered cherrywood box designed by Victoria Tang-Owen. The custom cherrywood fortune box and hand-embroidered silk cover, handcrafted by artisans in Wuxi, pay homage to the Belle Époque Shanghai. The box includes two pieces each of four sweet-flavoured Suzhou-style mooncakes: red bean, red date, salt & pepper, and lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk.
Email info@themerchantshk.com or call The Merchants at +852-6976-1812.
Anantara Siam Bangkok / Aug 1 to Sept 29
Rich in symbolism and artistry, the lavishly decorated Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel’s “Celestial Mooncake” boxes make for a meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival gift. The Ruby Celestial box and Emerald Celestial box feature richly detailed constellations and symbols of abundance and heavenly luck, and were designed to gracefully unfold into a festive table centrepiece.
Inside each box are four baked mooncakes, with a choice of five delectable flavours: Durian (single yolk), Jujube (single yolk), Cranberry and macadamia nuts, lotus seed (single yolk), and Custard.
The Emerald Celestial box is priced at B1,788 nett and Ruby Celestial box at B1,188 nett. Individual mooncakes are priced at B168 nett each. Orders placed before Aug 8 benefit from 15% savings and the mooncakes will be available for pick-up and delivery between Aug 1 to Sept 29, at Mocha & Muffins. Call 02-126-8866 or email: mochamuffins.asia@anantara.com.